Munday's the Arizona Roadrunners

This has been a tremendous year for us; starting in Florida in January and moving all across the country to spending the summer with family in the Pacific Northwest to ending on a whole new note of purchasing a "home base" for the winter months.  We are now officially snowbirds!  Who would have thought? It was not really planned but then Early is always planning something so there you have it... we just don't always know what's going on in that wonderful head of his!  This season we have had the joy of seeing our little granddaughter open gifts to spending time with some of our dearest friends. We have been truly blessed! 

Christmas Eve Eve and we found this little peach faced love bird on our feeder!  Isn't he cute!  Bet he escaped from someone's cage. Not a wild bird to say the least.  Then went over to son Roy's house to watch Seahawk's on Sunday Night football and share the holiday with our little granddaughter!  She's awfully cute but then children are and she seemed to like her new little tea set! ha!  Perfect for that age.  Seahawk's really put on a quite a show in the pouring down rain and it was so great to watch.  So glad we were not 49'er fans.  Those poor guys couldn't seem to do much right! Shared the time with good friends Joyce and Dave from Seattle so it was a lot of fun.  

As a update on the latest we have painted the living room and part of the dining room and added furniture.. now have fridge and place to sit!  Still waiting for dining chairs but at least they are on order. ha!  Living room looks pretty good with new color and although we still have a way to go we are comfortable and on our way.  Put on order 1/2 the windows - we currently have single paned windows that rattle in their frames so placed order for new ones!  Now that will nice getting those!

We have been painting and cleaning and scrubbing and getting new carpet in bedrooms!  Before the carpet arrived however we decided we needed to lighten up the rooms and brighten things up a bit.  Still need furnishings but hey we are getting there.. It's just been crazy but we are still working away.  The weather has turned cold on us so can't have windows open while painting but paint is nothing like what it used to be year ago.  These pictures really don't tell a very good story but give an idea.  The cold is still hanging on but I am getting a little better every day.  The barking like a seal isn't quite so bad any more. ha!  

These past few months have been sort of crazy for us running back and forth to Arizona and finally getting into house.  I like lots of color too but this house is just too small for some the colors that were here so the bright school bus yellow had to go!  The kitchen and hallway are now white and feels like a new place!  Fridge is due on Monday and that will really be nice!  We have been doing ok using fridge in RV and ice chest in house but... Unfortunately I caught a terrible cold that really knocked me out for a few days but am on the mend now so have to play catch up and am afraid I am just not going to get there but will give it a shot!  

So the Motor home doesn't exactly fit behind the house but it's a very close fit!  Had to chop away at the plants a bit but we are in.  So far we have been very busy moving belongings from the RV into the house and still in process of shopping for furniture and getting "moved in".  Taking our time and getting to know the area some in the process as well!  Have met a few of our neighbors and Earl has even been over to the hot tub a few times.  Guess it has been a little much for me and somehow I have contracted a bit of cold.  Ah well, otherwise all is moving along just fine.

Spent the holiday with sister Mary and family down in Escondido, CA.  Had a wonderful meal and enjoyed it very much.  Always good to be with family and we have not seen this part of the family in a few years.  Chantal and Mike have a lovely home and two darling little boys and they know how to fix a wonderful meal too!  

Spotted this beautiful osprey as we were on our way out of the park!  Never have seen the osprey in this park before so was a little surprised.  Know they had a pair of hawks and a resident owl but a first for us with this guy.  His concentration is really great! Always love seeing these birds in action.  It is amazing how they catch their dinner!

Stopped along the way on our journey south to spend a little time with the Bradbury side of the family!  So great to see all the cousins get together and get to know each other a little better.  Had a good turn out and appreciate everyone coming for the event!  We had a great weekend!

Our last mad rush trip to Mesa included signing papers and taking possession of keys for new "Winter retreat"!  ha!  Yes, starting this winter we will become official "snowbirds" !  Not sure what it will be like to be back in a stick built house again with all those fun things to think about like utility bills; maintenance in house and yard; and the list goes on!  Oh well, lots of little Fix it type jobs for Early and that is what he likes!  

My 1st little chickadee reached the 40 year mark and as the sign says "Aged to Perfection"!  How fun... It's odd to think of your children as getting older like this but thankfully they do.  

While in the Morgan Hill area we had the most wonderful time visiting with family.  Sister Sandra was here with her son and his family and we lucked out and were included in watching our great neice during her school band competitions. Nearly froze to death in the stands but it was a clear cold day (as it should be in fall) and the bands came out and gave it their all.  She plays the flute and their school did an outstanding performance and won 1st place besides other awards as well! It was so great!!!!  Loved it.  We also spent a little time with son Earl III and grandson Karl and finally met his wife our new granddaughter in law Isla!  So it was very busy and great fun and time to go on that happy note!

Took the most lovely perfect day for a drive over to the "City by the Bay"!  Could not have timed it any better!  Absolutely perfect; no fog, sunny, clear and spent hours on the road but what the heck!  It was worth the drive to see the city again.  We spent most of our time down by Fisherman's Wharf but also took a drive down Lombard Street and over to the Golden Gate Park which seems to go forever and then a bite to eat up at "Cliff House"overlooking the ocean and beach!  It was the most perfect day and we had a marvelous time.

After a lovely drive down from Cloverdale landed today at Morgan Hill.  Such a picture perfect day!  81 in the shade and sky clear blue!  Love it!  so nice to have lovely weather again.  Plans are to be here only a week but hope to see family and go play in town in San Francisco one day...

You may think this shed has been used as target practice seeing all the holes - but no, they have a LOT of acorn woodpeckers in this park.  This shed is covered with holes and we have witnessed the little demons pecking the holes!  They are so cute and fun to watch.  Amazingly enough they chase the jays away.  We are enjoying it very much although must say the weather hasn't been the best.  Everything needs watering though so what rain we have had is good.  It's fall after all and things need a good soaking. ha!  

One of our most favorite places are the "Redwoods" in Northern California.  These are the tallest trees in the world and this is where they live and thrive!!  The oldest recorded tree (by counting rings) is 2200 yrs old!  Can you even begin to imagine?  They are so tall and give you a sense of how life goes on.  We just love it here and stayed a few days.  Took several short hikes and just enjoyed it so very much.  No TV or phone service but could still txt from the campground we stayed at (Richardson's Grove RV).  Although we did have fog each morning (by the way, these trees need that fog as the water from the roots will not reach their tops!) we had sunshine each afternoon and it was quite pleasant.  Just love all the big stumps that are perfect for youngsters to play hide and seek! ha!  

Just south of the Rogue River is a nice PA park tucked into the outlet of a river that this "Turtle" sits against!  Thus the name of the park!  It is a very nice park with 50 amp power and a lovely lodge with complete workout room and activities and kitchen.  Lovely and just a short walk past this turtle to the beach!  The small town of Gold Beach is ok.  We get good phone and TV and power and wonder what more could you ask for.  Well, I'll tell you; a break in the weather! ha! Fall has arrived and it is making up for the long weeks without rain.  We are now getting thunderstorms with hail and it's quite exciting.  Don't really mind and we have managed to get out a few times to walk along the beach in between rain squalls.  

The Oregon Coast is dotted with wonderful bridges and Newport has one of the prettiest I think!  Although it is homely green the style can't be beat!  Just love it!  So nice walking the beach here in between rain storms.  Ugh.  We have a bit of a break today but only a break.  It has been very nice but the trail is calling to us and plans are to leave tomorrow in the am.  

Is there anything in the world like the ocean?  Took a walk along the beach and saw Jonathan standing here enjoying it as much as we... ha!  It is beautiful and we love it.  This park is right across the street from the beach so we can hear the wave action inside and it's wonderful.  After lighting here we took a whirlwind trip in car down to AZ to have a very quick visit with sister Sandra and brother in-law Tom and then on to see son Roy and granddaughter Jaylee.  Checked out the area and a house we are intending to purchase and then made the whirlwind trip back to Oregon.  Oh my goodness, that many hours in the car is terrible.  Not sure why so hard on us but think it because our bodies are so in tune with daily schedule and didn't do any thing norm for days!  Getting back to routine and feeling better. Fall weather is on it's way and we are getting some cool fog but expecting the dreaded wet stuff which is due tomorrow!  Knowing everyone needs the rain so much we just

While here at Chehalis took the day with best forecast and spent the day up at "the mountain"!  Wow!  The south side of mountain is really showing the bare rock.  The glaciers are shrinking and it's quite noticeable.  Took a little walk around and enjoyed Christine Falls, and Myrtle Falls and a picnic lunch.  Can't help but think of my Mom as this was her favorite place.  The wild flowers are about all gone but there was still some color.  Best time of year is late July and August.  The new visitor center in Paradise is very nice however thought the other lodge was nice too.  Love these National Parks!

Timing is everything they say, and this year it just so happened that sister Mary was coming up to Seattle for another reason but was able to join in festivities down at Seattle waterfront for granddaughter Rebekah's 13 birthday celebration - to ride the giant ferris wheel on Pier 57.  So we had quite a gathering and was so great.  The weather wasn't great but not a pouring down rain day so that helped and it was ok.  What a whirlwind these past few weeks have been for us.  Between making candy, teaching sewing to both Bekah and Micah and all the other activities we have been full time on the go.  Tomorrow we hit the road again so will get back on track. ha!  Wondering if there are any blackberries left!  We have always enjoyed picking berries in Chehalis but this year has been so dry and warm think they will be done by the time we get there.  Looking forward to the trek south.

One of my "healthy" choices is to walk and exercise and what better way to accomplish that then taking a good walk with a good friend!  Took a day out to visit with friend Joyce and take a walk around her lake and see the area they worked so long and hard to keep from developers and turn into a park for the community!  It was years in the making and $$$$ but oh so worth it... still miles of work to be done to get it all completed but the community comes out twice a year for "clean up" and it's been a huge success.  They already have a public boat dock and it is a small lake that is annually stocked with fish from donations of this very small community.  It's awesome seeing them in work and I follow their accomplishments on Facebook when not in area.

The boys wanted to learn how to make Papa's famous fudge so we spent a few hours making fudge and bear claws!  They had a ball and were pretty good about it all.  Tight area to work in but they did fine and it was fun for us.  It's been a few years since I have done any baking... One day we did make freezer jam too which the kiddos just love!!  So simple an activity and the children seem to love it!

This summer we have not had time to 'work camp' with so much catching up with old and dear friends and family.  It has been so great!  Met Herbie and Sarah for lunch and was so good to catch up and hopefully we'll cross paths this winter in the sunbelt!  They are doing great and it was so good to spend a little time with them.

Took a day trip back up to La Conner to spend day with good friends Dean and Laurie Singer.  Early and Dean spent most of the time getting the swim step back on now that it is done being put back together... Laurie and I went over to TTN and picked blackberries! oh my goodness - the bushes are loaded and we did good.  After a delicious meal of fish and chips (all of us except Early) (who chose the Elvis Burger) ! umm very good. ... then we splurged and dove into the ultimate in ice cream cones... Can you believe this waffle cone was only $3.50!  What a deal!!  Great day over all and this weather just can't be topped this year!

While here in the Pacific Northwest took advantage of the lovely weather and took "grands" and their cousins to the park for a little picnic!  All 5 took to the trees and bars and climbing rock!  A good way to work off a little of that energy they seem to generate!  Good work out for us old folks too walking to and from the park!  

Can hardly believe the lovely weather we have had here this summer.  A few cloudy days but very nice really.  Had a good time at luncheon for Ex-Seattle Port employees and then a good brisk walk with daughter Scarlett in West Seattle - then she and I took to the court and battled the tennis balls some.  Oh my goodness, for as in shape as I like to think I am; I'm not! ha! What a workout... loved every minute of it and of course always wonderful when we can spend a little time with our family!

We are back!  This is park we stayed in for 3 months when Earl had his surgery a few years ago.  We are on the count down now.. 1 month from today and we head south for the winter!  Park does not have any amenities to speak of but the local is good for seeing family and friends.

Met up with nieces and daughter Scarlett for a walk around beautiful Green Lake.  Used to live near here and the girls and I would come done occasionally but haven't been in years.  A good walk - about 3 miles around lake and enjoyed visiting whole way with girls and mom Therese.  Afterwards went for tasty lunch.  A lovely day too. Rare up here in Pacific N/W but  oh how they are appreciated!  

What a view of lovely Vancouver from Stanley Park.  Took a ride across the border for the day and oh my, how this city has grown since we were last there in mid-90's!  Hardly looked the same.  Did go all around Stanley park which is just beautiful and the sun did come out from behind the clouds.  Had awoken to misty fog and grey dingy looking day but oh my when the sun came out it was beautiful!  Did wander about on foot some in Granville Island and the Gastown area.  Loved it but prices did seem high!  oh well, what is not to like in Canada they are so clean and really push cleanliness too. Too much to do in one day but we didn't do too badly.

Just love the location of LaConner on the water however after 3 weeks of next to no phone, no internet and no TV we were ready to leave this place!  Also due to high concentration of trees (which I love by the way) it is quite a bit cooler here!  Think in 3 weeks there we never saw temps up to 70 in trees!  And this is summer? ha!

Although we do not belong to a separate chapter of the FMCA (Famiy Motor Coach Assoc) we did join in the festivities while at LaConner with the Lewis & Clark chapter.  They graciously included us for the week and oh my goodness! Over 70 people and the good times - games and potlucks and fireside gatherings.  Even a crab feed one evening!  So many great folks and a good time was certainly had by all (or so it seemed).  A great group of folks.  

It was so great that a few of the old Houseboat Yacht Club member were able to get together for an afternoon!  Meeting at Angel of the Winds Indian Casino.  So great to see folks (some of which) we have not seen in years.  The Singers, Allingtons, Easters and Terry Della Santa with friend Jim.  So fun to catch up  .

There is nothing quite like a clear sunny day to take a ferry ride through the San Juan Islands over to Friday Harbor!  It is a lovely little town with a large active marina and bustling little town.  We caught ferry in Anacortes and walked on and then just walked around Friday Harbor until time to return to mainland.  This sea lion seems to be a beggar but quite a ham!  We enjoyed the day very much, especially the sunshine which has been quite elusive this month!

Earl took advantage of opportunity to join friend Dean Singer and other friends too, in taking their boat Troubadour from Edmonds marina up to La Conner - for a little work... Laurie, Miss Lily and I took off for a little shopping and sight seeing trip from Edmonds back to La Conner.  Even stopped by my old work place in Arlington - Hardly recognized the place but then it has been a few years and there have been a few changes..A great time was had by all!

Thousand Trails has a park in one of the prettiest places here in Pacific Northwest but you know, their Internet and phone service is B A D!!!  I would be sharing a picture a picture of the bald eagles we watched the other day playing out here over the water but can't get the picture uploaded!  Had a great day though, friend Joyce came up and we just hung around and chatted and got caught up.. Hadn't seen each other for a few years so that is always fun.  Yesterday we had picture perfect day and took ferry over to Friday Harbor in San Juan Islands for outing.  Lovely day and enjoyed it very much. Again (too 125 pics) connection not good enough to upload pix but will get better I hope when we leave here end of this month!! Oh well. We'll do what we can as we are able.. meanwhile we are fine and did get out for a little pickle ball.  Thunder all morning with a little rain and looks like sun is trying to come out this afternoon. Ah well. That is Pacific n/w for you!

Our good friends Laurie and Dean Singer helped to celebrate our Anniversary this year a day early. So great of them to think of us.  Then we continued the celebration by attending our good friends Joyce & Dave's summer party!  Timing is everything - ha!  It was so good to see them again along with other friends and all the good food and perfect summer weather!! If this nice weather will just continue for a while it will be a great summer! ha!

This year we spent the holiday at home here in Monroe at the Thousand Trails park with good friends "The Singers"!  We had great weather, good food and great company.. what more could  you ask for and - AND we had a free fireworks show across the river from some locals who put on quite a show.  It was all done before us old people retire for the evening so worked out well.  And we all watched our old time favorite - Yankee Doodle Dandy with Jimmy Cagney! It was made in 1942 and still a favorite of mine (even if it is in black and white) - ha!  A great 4th of July movie as far as we are concerned anyway. (Of course we think the younger generations are missing out...)   Just hoping this nice weather will hang around for a while and give us a good dose of vit D. ha!